These days, one of the most surprising things I get asked about in relation to nutrition and health is whether or not to eat fruits and vegetables. It sounds crazy, I know, but with so much concern about pesticides and organics, a lot of people are confused and scared to eat the natural foods they need. Some of my clients feel it's better to take supplements than to eat fruits and veggies because they are so scared of what chemicals may have been added to the crops.
You have people who swear by organics and others who feel the whole movement is overblown -- and often I hear that the organic movement is just a scheme to charge more at the markets. This whole "organic" concept has complicated our already difficult relationship with food.
As a registered dietitian, it's most upsetting to see so much fear and confusion around what should be our most trusted, wholesome source of nutrients. America, for all its wealth and research, remains confused about how and what to eat.
I don't write this article to fan the flames of the argument. Certainly, I understand that emotions on both sides run high. What I have learned that's valuable to everyone, I think, is that there exists a middle ground between pesticide crops and certified organics: that is, fruits and vegetables that are seasonal, pesticide-free and locally grown by farmers. There is such a thing as "clean" crop that is 100 percent natural in terms of no pesticides, but still absent an organic label. This comes as a surprise to many as we seem to think now that everything not marked organic is chemically tainted.
Finding pesticide-free non-organics is a great way to spend less money and enjoy natural produce. The only downside -- if you consider it one -- is that you have to eat seasonally, meaning you have to stop expecting ripe tomatoes and avocados in February in many parts of the country. In addition, many areas, urban and rural, have farmers markets. When organic or pesticide-free produce is a concern, direct communication with the farmer is often the best way to navigate your available selection.
Farmers markets provide a great opportunity to learn exactly how and where your food is produced and to sample items prior to purchasing. This option will also reduce cost, as well as be pesticide-free. Regardless of the kind of produce you buy, please buy it. I believe the benefits that come from consuming fruits and vegetables will outweigh the hazards of conventional farming.
According to Josephine Quiocho, a permaculture designer and garden consultant for the Glide Foundation's edible rooftop garden, Graze the Roof in San Francisco, you should "ask your farmer if their produce is organic and, if not, if they use any pesticides. You may be pleasantly surprised that they claim the unlabeled apple to be just as sweet, fresh and unadulterated as the one labeled organic!"
Quiocho points out that, "Due to the timely process and costly fees of organic certification, many farms, including those that may already practice organic standards, may be awaiting certification or may opt to forego the application process. Some farms may also avoid pesticides, but use synthetic fertilizers, which are against organic standards"
I took her advice and went to my farmers market at the San Francisco Civic Center to get some answers. According to the Ortiz Brothers farmers, "When you say organic you have to pay for the paperwork. You have a lot of papers and you pay, pay, pay." At Hooverville Orchards, Jenny and Bruce Smith told me, "We don't spray our fruit at all. We don't like to. We don't know what's in it, or what it does to our fruit. We just let nature do to them what it does best." The same is true at Cipponeri Farm, though Marissa, their representative, says they do use fertilizer. She says, "We are a tree fruit farm. Our fruit is very safe as it is not low to the ground. It is my belief that vegetables would be safe as well."
Mainly what I've learned is, farmers often don't become certified organic because it's a costly, long process. So if you're concerned about what goes into your fruits and vegetables, but you can't justify paying what labeled organics cost, remember: there's always the option of fresh, local, seasonal, pesticide-free crops -- just the way nature intended! You can find your local farmers market by zip code.
Manuel Villacorta is a registered dietitian in private practice in San Francisco, California. He is a national media spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association and the founder of Eating Free
Follow Manuel Villacorta on Twitter: www.twitter.com/EatingFree
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Crops that are treated with pesticides, on the other hand, are less mutagenic. They don't need to evolve further pesticides to keep bugs at bay because the farmer takes care of that.
Does this mean that non-organic produce is healthier? Nope. The amount of pesticide is so low it's not ever worth considering. But this is also true of conventional produce! The sprayed pesticides are washed off, and you ought to wash it again anyway. In either case, it's not something worth worrying about.
You are at far, far greater risk from not eating enough vegetables than you are from any pesticide residue. It's wiser save the organic mark-up and BUY MORE VEGGIES!
Most of the so called pesticide free crops are not. The farmer is just playing word games. Their definition of pesticides is very interesting. Keep in mind, if it kills insects; it's a pesticide and it is generally poisonous.
The article also suggests direct communication with the farmer can reveal whether or not they use pesticides. This is a leap of faith that the farmer is completely truthful about what is going on at the farm when nobody is watching.
Another aspect is to eat local as you said, not only for the efficiency of it but, the more local you eat the less allergy or reaction you are prone to have. For instance, perhaps you are eating New Jersey Grown tomatoes, which are organic - however they are grown near an area that has pine, and you are allergic to pine. There is a small chance of cross contamination. Small, but it is still logical to know where your food comes from, and what was near it.
You're lucky.....most people waste money on organic which is a rip off...I was raised on a farm....if you're interested in good taste...then get it RIPE off the plant.